The Savannah tribune. [volume] (Savannah [Ga.]) 1876-1960, 1887-12-24
Ill.


ing there was q convulsive effort on the
part of the suspended man, the parting
caves trough slipped from his rigid fin
gers, he was topping backward, falling
into space, the earth, the sky, the face
of the man above him all blending in
one chaotic picture before his despairing
sight, yet he did not fall; the arm of
John Harmon, who had slipped like a
flash over the edge, was about him hold
ing him up, while he adjured:
''Get hold, get a hold, for Gods
sake. Ifyou vally your life and mine,
keep yolr wits about you, Steve Brady.
Now, then, climb up the rope. I'll bear
the strain, think, and'you can get on
the roof from my shoulders. Steady;so."
There was moment of suspense, the
strands of the straining rope were cut
ting on the edge of the states, but the
wire which John had piled to it higher
up divided the weight and enabled first
one, then the other to climb to the roof.
They stood there painting with exer-
ton, looking into each others eyes.
81 owe my life to you" said Brady,
''but 1 wish l didn't. I wish I'd
dropped down into the street afore |
owed it to you
The cause of the enmity between
them2 The usual cause--only girl.
Not even pretty girl as the world saw
her, but the one on whom each of these
men had set his heart. There was some
thing of the coquette in her, or else she
had not yet learned her own mind, for
she had given encouragement to each,
or he thought So which amounted to
the same.
The bitterness of feeling that, out of
common gratitude, he ought to stand
out of his rivals way, was working in
Steve Brady, but, with the words on his
lips, he began to waver and sank down
unconscious.
When he came to himself he was in
a strange place, but it was still John
Harmon who was with him and who
had this to say;
"Now, look here, Steve Brady, don't
you go to fussin' or worritin'l You've
been took with spell, and busted a
blood innardly, through strainin',
but you don't want doctorin' so much
as quiet an peace of mind That's why
1 brung you here. This is my room and
it's in my mothers house, and want to
say to you that I'll be square an even
with you. won't take a step toward
seein' Dolly till you're on your feet
again. | won't try to get ahead with
her through your misfortin', and | don't
want you to feel beholden to me for
anything. You'd done as well by me
if I'd been in your fix
The evil spirit in Steve was quelIed
by this generous treatment.
''You're better man than am, John
Harmon" he cried out. YOU'RE more
deseryin' of her, too "
81 don't know, answered John, 'Tm
slow an you're quick, that's about the
difference It just depends on which
she takes to most, that's all there is of
it.
Another spirit moved the injured man
before he was conceded by John Har-
mon to be fairly on his feet again.
The latter came home late from his
work one evening
"How's Brady!7 he asked of his
mother as he sat down to the supper
which she had kept for him. "Wants
to get out, eh? He'll be there soon now,
but l reckon I'll have TO give him the
slip tonight. She'd DO disappointed if
I didn't come round"
Eyes, "from the mother But seems
to me bananys I'D give you better worth
for your money than them there roses,
John"
"She wouldn't think so, mother"
Then a door went shut, and Brady,
who was half way down the stairs when
these words arrested him; turned and
went up again with his blood on fire.
So, this was the kind Of faith with him!
This was the man who was more worthy
Of Dolly than he was.
He could hear John splashing the
,vnfer III tho kitchnn sink as he made